SAQIB Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin were rammed off the road in August 2023, resulting in their tragic deaths.
This article examines the events that culminated in a cold-blooded crime and explores the motive behind Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari’s desire to see the victims dead. This case is highlighted in ITV’s feature, TikTok: Murder Gone Viral.
Car crash
In 2022, the bodies of 21-year-olds Saqib Hussain and his friend Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin were discovered in a car engulfed in flames following a high-speed pursuit in Leicestershire.
Their families couldn’t identify their bodies because they were so badly burnt.
In the minutes leading up to the deadly crash, Saqib made a harrowing 999 call.
Call for help
He said: “I’m being followed by two vehicles and they’re trying to block me in. I can’t get to a police station — I need help right now.
“There’s guys following me. They’ve got balaclavas on. They’re trying to ram me off the road. They’re trying to kill me — I’m going to die.”
After giving his name to the operator, Saqib pleaded for help: “They’re hitting into the back of the car very fast.
“Please, I’m begging you, I’m going to die.”
He was then heard screaming before the call cut off.
Moments later, the Skoda Fabia smashed into a tree on a central reservation and both Saqib and Mohammed were killed.
In August 2023, TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari and her mother Ansreen Bukhari, both from Stoke on Trent, were convicted of murder.
After Ansreen had embarked on an ill-fated affair, the mum and daughter created a web of lies and deceit.
Murderous plot
Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari orchestrated the deadly scheme to silence Saqib Hussain after he threatened to reveal their relationship to Ansreen’s spouse.
Ansreen and then 18-year-old Saqib met on the live-streaming platform Azar.
The pair regularly met up for sexual trysts in Birmingham and London hotels during their three-year relationship.
There’s guys following me. They’ve got balaclavas on. They’re trying to ram me off the road. They’re trying to kill me — I’m going to die
Saqib Hussain
When Ansreen tried to break off the relationship in January 2022, it was claimed that Saqib attempted to blackmail her.
He allegedly threatened to send nude pictures of her to her son and husband unless she returned the money he had spent on her throughout the affair.
The mum and daughter made plans to set a trap, ultimately leading to the deaths of two people.
The pair arranged to meet Saqib in a supermarket car park in Leicester — he arrived at the meeting point with school pal Mohammed Hashim, who was driving.
After realising the meeting was an ambush, Saqib made a call to the police just minutes before the fatal crash took place.
Saqib’s dad believes his son was effectively “groomed” by mum-of-two Ansreen.
Sajad said: “It would have been his first serious relationship. I think he fully trusted her.
“He was so young. It might not have been illegal, but it was still grooming, I think.
“She is older than his own mother. She should have known better.”
Where Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari are now
Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari denied two counts of murder and two counts of manslaughter.
However, following a three-month trial at Leicester Crown Court in August 2023, the pair were found guilty of double murder.
Mahek was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 31 years and eight months behind bars.
Her mother, Ansreen, was also jailed for life and given a minimum term of 26 years and nine months.
Fellow defendants Rekan Karwan and Raees Jamal, who were recruited by the Bukharis and drove the pursuing cars, were also jailed for life.
They received a minimum of 26 years ten months, and 31 years respectively.
At a later date, Jamal was convicted of rape in a separate case, so his minimum term was subsequently increased to 36 years and 45 days.
Three other people were also found guilty of manslaughter.
Natasha Akhtar was jailed for 11 years and eight months, while Ameer Jamal and Sanaf Gulamustafa were jailed for 14 years and eight months and 14 years and nine months respectively.
Only one of the eight people charged in relations to the killings was acquitted.
TikTok: Murder Gone Viral
A three-part true crime series called TikTok: Murder Gone Viral investigates murder cases that gained notoriety on the social media platform.
The episode delving into the disturbing case of Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari is being aired on Monday, June 23, 2025.
It will be broadcast on ITV at 10.45 pm — a repeat will be shown an hour later on ITV+1.
